Action Line #91104 - Clothing Sales Published Dec. 1, 2009 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Complaint: I understand that during the summer months at Incirlik most people wouldn't consider ever needing the use of an All Purpose Environmental Clothing System jacket for the Airman Battle Uniform or for the newly authorized ABU Fleece, but during the winter season, Turkey does get chilly. The issue for many Airmen that work outside is that they do not have the option to be able to purchase the APECS at our base exchange. From my understanding, the Battle Dress Uniform GORE-TEX is only authorized with the ABU when doing maintenance, but what about new Airmen who are issued ABUs out of basic training and who are not issued the APECS, and/or never issued the BDU GORE-TEX? Most squadrons will not authorize the funding for certain AFSCs to purchase the APECS for their Airmen because they feel it is not necessary. If the squadron is not willing to spend their own money on winter gear for Airmen who work outside during the cold months, all I ask is that people who currently do not have the BDU GORE-TEX or were not issued cold weather gear in their career have the choice to purchase the garment at the local BX. I understand that we are given a clothing allowance for these issues, but the yearly allowance for first term Airmen isn't anywhere near sufficient to even purchase one APECS, especially when they may need new uniforms as well. Thank you for your consideration on this matter. Response: Thank you for taking the time to inquire about the status of the APECS jackets. The APECS and Improved Rain Suit parka are available for purchase at our local Base Exchange. We have received our initial distribution of APECS with an additional supply arriving in the next few weeks. If you or anyone else would like to reserve an APECS jacket, stop by the military clothing sales store, see the manager and he will call you when they arrive. 39 ABW/CC does not allow mixing BDU outer garments with the ABU.